Capitolo 40
heavy tax was imposed to this point.
But soon after Christmas, William felt him he/she forced to take the field.
He had learned that Exeters the commercial and rich city of the southwest,,
you/he/she was making preparations to withstand him/it to. It was in a district where Harold
and his/her family had had the great possessions. His/her mother was in the city, and
perhaps others of the family. At least some English of prominence you seem to
has rallied around them. The citizens had mended and you/they had improved them
you already wall up strong. They had thrilled foreigners, dealers equalize, in
their service, and you/he/she was looking for allied in the other cities. The rule of William had
never it evidently reached still that part of England and Exeter it hoped
to close out it complex. When the king felt of these preparations him,
acts with his/her usual promptitude, but without sacrifice of his/her diplomat
ability. The citizens first you/they should be done for giving credit to their intentions.
A communication was expeditious to the city, while requiring that the oath of the fidelity to
he is picked up. The citizens answered that they would have sworn, and
it would not admit him inside the walls, but that they was prepared for paying
him the usual tribute. William immediately responded that he was not
accustomed to have subjects on such conditions, and his immediately started
March against the city. Orderic Vitalis thought of him/it worthy to note that
in this army William was using for the first time English as soldiers.
When the hostile army attracted next to the city the courage of some of the,
principal men failed, and they went out to look for terms of the peace. Them
promised to do anything was commanded, and they gave hostages, but on
the their their return they found their disowned negotiations and the city
determined to withstand a siege. This only lasted eighteen days. Some decided
advantage that earned the Normans--the to mine some walls seems
implicated being--induced the city to try again for terms. The clergy,